Hong Kong drafts first anti-spam law

Between 60 and 90 per cent of email received in Hong Kong is spam, according to the Hong Kong ISP Association. 

Two years ago, when the figure was around 50 per cent, the Asia Digital Marketing Association estimated that controlling spam was already costing local companies almost $40 per employee every month, or about $770m per year in lost productivity. 

The Hong Kong Productivity Council, which promotes anti-spam efforts, reported that 60 per cent of the email its staff receives is spam. 

Officials have also indicated that they will not create a 'do-not-call' list for email, although they will do so for other services, citing US Federal Trade Commission findings. 

"Such a register would be a gold mine for illicit spammers seeking a list of valid email addresses to spam," said a Hong Kong official.

"At this stage, we think that 'do-not-call' registers should be suitable for pre-recorded voice or video messages, fax messages and SMS/MMS messages."

Despite the spam problem, government officials stressed that it is important to protect local businesses.

"Electronic communications are a low-cost means of market promotion for small and medium enterprises, which constitute about 98 per cent of Hong Kong's business community," said Marion Lai, deputy secretary for commerce, industry and technology in Hong Kong.

"The legislative proposals should not therefore stifle the survival and growth of these small companies."